Wall and floor tiling system



June 25, 1940. I SMWH 2,205,700

WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM Filed March 9, 1939 5 Sheets-$heetl g1. It W 22 Homer Z .,5 mj/t7z INVEN'TOR ATTORNEYS H. L. SMITH 2,205,700

WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM Filed March 9, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 25, 1940. SMITH 2,205,700

WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM Filed March 9, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 25, 1. H. 1.. SMITH WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9. 1959 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 25, 1940. M TH 2,205,700

WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM Filed March 9, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 25, 1940 4 I,

UNITED sTATEs PTENT oFricE- WALL AND FLOOR TILING SYSTEM Homer L. Smith, Covington, Ky. Application March 9, 1939, Serial No. 260,840

10 Claims. (o1.1s9-s5) This invention relates to tiling and more parthe meeting marginal portions of two tile units, ticularly to a system of interfitting tile units and illustrating a modified form of securing bracket fasteners therefor, for use in flooring as well as for-the notched flange portions thereof;

wall finishing and paneling. The invention has, Figure 11 is a perspective view ofthe secur further, more particularly to do with tiles which ing bracket illustrated in Figure t are made of metal by die-casting or other ap- Figure 12 is a perspective view of a gauge eleproved process or formed from sheetmetal or ment or spacer for locating the securing brackets other suitable material possessing the requisite on the wall or 11001", as the case may be; tensile strength and rigidity, the respective tiles Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of a tile unit 10 being enameled or otherwise coated or ornashowing a further modified form of securing l0 mentally surfaced. More specifically, the system bracket applied thereto;

includes variously formed wall or floor surfac- Figure 14 is a perspective view of the securing ing units or panel sections, together with special bracket illustrated in Figure: 13 finishing strips and corner elements and corre- Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of 16 lated securing devices or bracket elements for a top bead or finishing element, showing a still 15 fastening the tiles and associated finishing strips further modification of the securing bracket;

and corner elements to the wall structure and Figure 16 is a cross section taken on or about floor base of a building. the line lfil6 of Figure 15; l The invention consists in the general system Figure 1'7 is a view similar to Figure 16, but of assembly and in the particular units or parts showing, yet another form of securing bracket; 20 thereof as hereinafter described and set forth Figure 18 is a perspective view of a cove memwith particularity in the appended claims, refher for the top beading; erence being had to the accompanying drawings Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective View of illustrating practical adaptations of the invena corner member for the top beading; tion, and, in which 0 Figure 20 is a perspective view of a special cor- 25 Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an ner member for the regular stripping, showing a assembly of wall tiles in both plain flat and corspecial securing bracket applied thereto;

ner arrangement as built up above base members Figure 21 is a sectional view of the corner and including finishing strips and corner elemember illustrated in Figure 20; ments; Figure 22 is a fragmentary perspective viewof 30 Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective View of l a regular strip element; l a base element detached and illustrating the ap- Figure 23 is a perspective view illustrating an plication of reversely arranged securing brackets assembly of special wall panels having floor base for fastening the element to both the wall and portions; 1

the floor; Figure 24 is an inner face View of two adjoin-' 35 Figure 3 is a cross section of the base element ing panel sections, showing an arrangement of taken on or about the line 3-3 of Figure 2; securing brackets therefor;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of an angular Figure 25 is a section on the line 25-25 of bracket as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3; Figure 24; 0 4 Figure 5 is a perspective view of a corner bas Figure 26 isa section on the line 2li26 of element; Figure 24;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of Figure 27 is a section on the line 2'l-2'i of a cove element; Figure 24;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a unit for Figure 28 is a perspective view-of the diagonal l5 framing an opening in the tiled wall or fioor corner bracket illustrated in Figure 24; assembly; Figure 29 is a perspective view of the lower Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rectangular marginal securing bracket illustrated in Figure tile unit showing securing brackets applied to 24; a opposite end portions thereof; Figure 30 is a perspective view of the upper so Figure 9 is a view illustrating a'modification marginal securing bracket illustrated in Figure of the rectangular tile unit similar to that shown 24;

in Figure 8 but having a right-angled end por- Figure 31 is a perspective view of an assemtion, said unit having reversely arranged securbly of modified wall tiles and associated trimming ing brackets applied thereto; elements;

o5 Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of Figure 32 is a perspectiverview of a'squaretile for use in connection with a staggered arrangement of the rectangular tiles in brick-setting effect and for ordinary use;

Figure 33 is a fragmentary plan view illustrat ing an assembly of floor tiles in accordance with the invention;

Figure 34 is a section on the line 3d-3 l of Figure 33;

Figure 35 is a section ontne line 3fi35 of Figure 33;

FigureBfi is a detailed View of a fastener for the floor tiles illustrated in Figure 33;

Figure 37 is a perspective'view of a floor tile body element;

Figure 38 is a plan view of a modification of the floor tile; and

Figure 39 is a section on the line 39% of Figure 38.

Generally stated, the tiles and panel elements, to be hereinafter described in detail, are marginally flanged and notched and made in rectangular and other polygonal forms according to the particular designs to be produced in the assembly of the units.

Referring first more particularly to Figures 1 to 22, inclusive, and Figures 31 and 32, the numeral l designates one of a plurality of tiles, each of square form, the four marginal portions of which are flanged inwardly, as at 3, said flanges being provided with a series of notches t which are preferably outwardly flared, as shown. These tiles, as well as modified forms thereof, to be later described, are set into cement which is applied to the wall or floor surface where the tiles are placed, the notched marginal flanges of the tiles being embedded in the cement with retentive effect, but, to more securely hold the tiles in place, retaining brackets of various forms are secured to the wall or floor surface for the interlocking reception of the tiles, as will be later more fully described.

In either a wall or floor assembly, or both, base units are used, said units being providedin elongated straight units of substantially rightangular cross section and having notched marginal flanges similar to the flanges of the tiles, said elongated straight base units being joined in the assembly by outer corner members and inner corner members or coves which are also marginally flanged and notched. As shown in the assembly in Figure 1 andin detail in Figures 2 and 3, the elongated straight base units,

designated by the numeral 5, have body portions of true right-angular cross section with inturned flanges along longitudinal margins, as at E5, said flanges having series of notches l.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a low corner unit 8 is provided, the upper body portion of said unit being of right-angular section and having inturned flanges 9 at its upper end, said flanges being notched, as at ll). This-corner unit is formed with a turned-out base flange H which is reflanged at its marginal portions, .as at l2, said re-iianged portion being provided with notches l3. The opposite vertical margins of the right-angular upper body portion of said corner unit 8 and the coinciding ends of the base flange ll thereof are also provided with inturned flanges which are notched similarly to the top flanges 9 and base flanges ii of the unit.

Elongated corner elements l4 (see Figure 1) are provided in connection with the base corner unit 8 and extending vertically therefrom in continuity Wtih the corner flnish of the tile as,-

sembly. This elongated corner element 14, as shown, is made separate from the base unit 8, but, obviously, it may be formed as an integral extension of said base unit. So, too, said elongated corner element l4 may extend in one piece continuously from the base corner unit 8 to the top beading or molding strips or elements, designated generally by the numeral it, which are provided in finishing the upper marginal portion of the-tile assembly, or, as-shown in Figure 1, said corner element [4 may be divided into two or more separate sections with short corner units 36 interposed between the meeting ends thereof, said corner units Iii completing the continuity of horizontal stripping, designated generally by the numeral ll, extending the length of the tiled surface between the base units and 8 and the top beading or molding l5. The corner unit H3 is of right-angular form corresponding to the upper portion of the base unit 8 and it is provided at its top, bottom and opposite end margins with inturned flanges i8 (see Figure 20), the end flanges being notched, as at E8, and more clearly shown in Figure 21, for engagement with a right-angular supporting and retaining bracket is having inwardly offset end portions 20 which are apertured to receive nails or screws which fasten the bracket to the adjacent portions of the wall where the corner units it are placed. In this connection, it is here noted that the elongated corner elements it are obviously provided with inturned flanges along their longitudinal margins corresponding to and alining with the end flanges of the interposed short corner unit it? and are notched similarly to the flanges of the tiles l and base units 5 and 3. So, too, the elements 54 are anchored to the wall by bracket members of the same kind as the member it which supports and retains the corner unit l 6. It is here further noted that said bracket members 29 are reduced in width near their offset end portions 20 so as to provide shouldered neck portions 9 to fit in the notches 18 of the short corner units it and the marginal notches of the elongated elements it.

The stripping ll includes elongated members 2| which may be plain flat, as shown in Figure 22, or, obviously, they may be transversely rounded outwardly or otherwise specially formed or configured for ornamental purposes. These strips ii are provided along their longitudinal margins with inturned flanges 22 which are notched, as at 23, in a manner similar to the notching of the hereinbefore described elementsor units, it being, of course, understood that the finishing strips 2! are either made in different standard lengths or cut from a relatively long strip to suit the particular installations at the time when and where they are applied. It is to be further understood that the finishing strips 2i may be in the form of open-ended channels, as shown in Figure 22 but it is obvious that the ends of said strips 2! may be closed by inturned flanges as are the ends of the corner units it, the end flanges being either notched or not, as may be Y desired. The stripping elements 2! may be secured to the wall by retaining brackets of various forms and similar to those to be used in connection with the tiles and other surfacing elements to be presently more fully described.

For finishing the coves or inner corners of the tiled wall surface, elongated elements 24 are provided, these elements being right-angular in cross section, as shown more clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings. As with the outer corner elements it,

these inner corner elements may be provided in different lengths so as to extend all the way from the base units to the top beading or molding IE or they may be. divided into separate pieces with interposed short corner units of the same general cross section as said elements 24 and obviously flanged at their top and bottom margins similarly to the hereinabove described corner units IS. The formation of said units 25 being obvious from the illustrated form of the elongated elements 23, no further detailed description of said units 25 is deemed necessary.

The lower elongated inner corner or cove element 24, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6 of the drawings, is formed integrally with a base portion 25 which is of rectangular form and marginally flanged downwardly, as at 21, said base portion 26 fitting between the abutting ends of the two adjoining base units 5. However, the base portion 25 may be made separately from the elongated element 24 and applied in connection with the latter in substantially the same manner in which the outer corner base unit 8 and the elongated corner element 94 are associated. The application of such separate base member in connection with the elongated vertical stripping is illustrated at 26' in Figure 31, in which figure the particular corner strip, designated by the numeral 24, extends in one piece continuously from the base unit 26 to the top beading or molding l5.

The elongated inner corner or cove elements 21! and 24 are provided with'inturned flanges 28 along their longitudinal margins, as shown in Fig. 6, said flanges 28 each having a series of notches 29 similar to the notched flanging of the other herein described units or elements.

In addition to the square tiles I, as illustrated in the assembly in Figure 1 and in detail in Figure 32. oblong tiles 1 are provided for the staggered brick-like assembly illustrated in Figure 31, one of said oblong tiles being illustrated in detail in Figure 8. For the purpose intended, the oblong tile is of a width corresponding to the length of one side of the square tile and of a length double that of its width. Like the tile I, said oblong tile is provided with in inturned marignal flanges 2 which are notched, as at 3 For outer corner formations in tiling a wall surface without the use of the hereinbefore described finishing strip elements 14, both the square and oblong tiles may be modified, as shown in Figure 9, wherein an oblong tile l is provided at one end with a right-angular extension ll In this connection, the angular end extension I c of the respective tiles l may be made in diflerent standard lengths, It is here further noted that a reverse arrangement of the end extensions oi both the square and oblong tiles may be made for inner corner or cove installations, and that in inner corner or cove installations the finishing stripping 24 may be thereby'eliminated. It is further noted that the tiles l are also marginally flanged and notched. as at 2 and 3 respectively. So, too, vertical end finishin stripping 35 may be provided for the tiled wall surface, as illustrated in Figure 31 of the drawings, wherein the strip extendsin one piece continuously from the base unit 5 to the top beading or molding I5. However, said stripping 3i! may be made in separate unitary pieces like the corner stripping l4 and 24, respectively;

The top beading or molding i5 is made in various unitary or standard lengths or cut to desired length at the time of installation as are the intermediate horizontal finishing strips 2!. S0,,too,

said top beading or molding may be of any desirable cross section. However, the preferred cross section is illustrated in Figures 15 to 19, inclusive, wherein the main body portion of each strip 3| is generally flat throughout the extent thereof, but formed with inturned upper marginal flanges 32 which are reflanged downwardly, as at 33 (see Figures 15 to 17, inclusive). Certain of the beading or molding strips, designated by the numeral 3 l are not only marginally flanged and reflanged at 32 and 33 but they are formed with right-angular end extensions 34*, the upper portions of which have continuations of the flanges 32 and 33 whereby said end portions 3% coincide with the the inner corners or coves of the tiled assembly illustrated in Figure 1. For an outer corner finish, a top beading or molding strip 3l is provided with a right-angular end extension 34 and top flanging 32 similar to the flanging 32 and 32 of the strips 3! and 31 as well as having downturned flanges corresponding to those shown at 33 and 33 of said strips 3! and 3W.

Various forms of retaining brackets in addition to the hereinbeiore described brackets ill, for the several tiles and associated elements, will now be described:

First referring to Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, a special retaining bracket 35 is illustrated for securing the base units 5 and 8 to a wall and floor structure. As shown, this particular bracket 35 is of general right-angular shape, having one end portion turned outwardly at right angles to the body portion, as at 36, and then turned upwardly parallel with the adjoining leg portion of the body 35 and being apertured, as at 31, for the reception of a nail or screw by which the bracket is secured to the wall or floor base, as the case may be. Preferably, as shown, the corner portion of the bracket where the portions 35 and 37 are ofiset from the body is notched at opposite sides 1 of the bracket to provide a reduced neck 38, said neck 38 fitting rather tightly with wedging effect in the bottom of one of the notches I of a base unit 5 or 8, as the case may be, the free end portion of the opposite leg of the bracket being turned at a right angle, as at 39, and said leg portion being accordingly notched on opposite sides to provide a neck li'i similar to the first described neck 38, said angular end portion 39 constituting a T-head'to overlap the outer face of the adjacent flange portion 5 of the base unit 5 or 8, as the case may be, and the neck portion 40 fitting in the notch l' in said flange ii in alinement with the notch in whichthe neck portion 38 is fitted at the opposite margin of the base unit. In this connection, it is noted that there is a space provided between the respective portions 35 and 39 of the bracket 35 and the adjacent flanges 6 of the base unit 5 or 8 to which the bracket is applied, sufiicient to receive the inturned marginal flanges of adjoining wall or floor tiles. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the brackets 35 are sequentially placed in reverse order for the reception of base units 5 and 8, or, in other words, they are alternately nailed or screwed to the wall and floor base, thereby seclurely retaining the units 5 and 8 against both upward movement from the floor and outwardly from the wall.

A modification of the retaining bracket is illustrated in Figures 8, 10 and 11, wherein the bracket member, designated by the numeral il, comprises a single strip of metal rebent upon itself, as at 42, to provide a substantial shoulder, and again rebent, as at 43, in spaced relation to said shoulder 42 so formed, the end. portion M of the bracket extending away from the base of the shoulder portion .2 being ap'ertured for the r ception of a nail or screw by which the bracket is secured to the wall or floor base, the opposite end portion 35 which is offset inwardly and extends parallel to the portion at engaging the adjacent inner face portion of one of two adjoining tiles l or other of the surfacing elements which are joined in abutting marginal relation with their notched inturned flanges engaged in space afforded by the rebending of the portion 43 in opposed relation to the shoulder portion 52. Obviously, these brackets ll may be placed at desired intervals along the marginal flanges 01 the tiles or other elements to be attached to the wall or floor, as the case may be, said brackets il being placed in reverse order on opposite sides of said tiles or elements, theform of the brackets being such that they may be readily so applied, thus obviating the necessity for making the same in rights and lefts.

A further modification of the retaining brackets is illustrated in Figures 9, l3 and 14, wherein i the bracket comprises an elongated body it which is of a length somewhat longer than the width of the tile to which it is applied. As shown, one end portion of the bracket 46 is formed similarly to the offset angular portion of the first herein de" scribed bracket 35, that is to say, it is provided with an offset apertured portion fi l which is connected to the end of the body portion proper by a neck 48, the opposite end portion of, this modifled bracket t6 being turned inwardly at a right i angle to provide a 'T-head 19 which is connected to the body portion by a neck 56!. In the application of this modified bracket 35 to the tile 5", as shown, or to any of the other surfacing elements to which it is applicable, the body portion of the bracket extends transversely of the tile or other element at the inner side thereof with two alined notches of the marginal flanges of the attached element engaging with the neck portions E8 and 58 of the bracket, the T-head' ts at one end of the bracket being spaced from the outer face of the adjacent flange of the attached element a distance to receive the abutting flange of an adjoining element, and the base portion M of the apertured offset extension 4? being correspo=hdingly spaced from the opposite marginal portion of the attached element, to receive the marginal flange of an adjoining tile or surfacing element.

In Figures and 16, a special bracket 56 is illustrated for the attachment of the respective top beading or molding strips. This particular bracket comprises a single strip of metal the main body portion of. which is straight and fiat to supportingly engage the inner face of the beading or molding strip 3E, 3V or as the case may be, one end portion 52 of the bracket being rebent to provide a hook to engage the inturned lower marginal portion of the beading or molding strip, the upper portion of the bracket being bent outwardly at'a right angle, asat 53, and again bent at right angles so as to extend parallel with the body portion, as at 54, said portion 55 projecting some distance beyond the top flange of the beading or molding strip and being apertured for the reception of a securing nail or screw for the attachment of the bracket to the Wall. Preferably, this bracket 5! is notched on opposite sides at the corner of the offset portions 53 and 54 to provide a neck 55 similar to the necks 38, 4D, 48 and 58 of the hereinbefore described brackets 35 and 46 for engagement in the notched flange portions 33 of the respective beading or molding strips 3i, 3i and 32*. A modification 56 of the bracket 5i is illustrated in Figure 17, wherein the bracket is made substantially in L-shape and apertured in its vertical portion for the reception of the securing nail or screw, the horizontal portion 5? thereof abutting the inner face of the beading or molding strip adjacent the top flange thereof and the bracket being notched on opposite sides to provide a neck portion 55 similar to the neck portion 55 of said bracket Hi. This bracket 56 is applied and functions substantially the same as the bracket 55 except that the elongated body portion with the hooked end 52 thereof is eliminated.

In installations where wall recesses or niches are provided for the accommodation of bathroom fixtures or other appurtenances special inserts for application in connection with the tiling are illustrated in Figures 1, 7 and 31 of the drawings. As shown in Figure l, the recess or niche, designated by the numeral 58, is bordered by four separate L-shaped tiles as, the detail of, each of which is illustrated in Figure '7 wherein each leg of the tile is provided with an inturned marginal flange iii which is notched, as at iii, the same as the flanges of the several tiles and finishing strips hereinbefore described.

In lieu of the tiled border for the recess or niche 58, as shown in Figure 1, said recess of niche may have a special rectangular hollow fixture G2 inserted therein, as shown in Figure 31, said fixture as illustrated being a conventional roll paper holder.

In accordance with the prime feature of the invention in the provision of hollow metal tiling, paneling and finishing stripping, paneling elements 63 of considerably larger sizes thanthe regular tiles may be installed in the same manner as herein described in connection with said smaller elements. An illustrative assembly is shown inFigure 23, wherein plain rectangular panels 63 have their vertical marginal portions inwardly flanged, as at (it, and notched, as at 65. Preferably, as shown, the panel 53 has a turnedout rectangular base portion 66 with a downturned flange 67 along" its longitudinal margin and downturned end flanges 58, said longitudinally flanged portion being notched/as at 69.

The top marginal portion of the panel 53 is formed with an inturned flange "ail which is refianged downwardly, as at H, and provided throughout its length with a series of notches l2. For a straight wall installation the panels 63, as just described, are generally used, but for inner corner or cove and outer corner installations special panels are provided as illustrated in Figure 23. The main body portions of these special panels are marginally flanged and notched the same as the panels 63, the structural difference being that the inner corner or cove panel 63 is provided with a right-angular extension at one vertical margin, as at 63 the extension being flanged at top' and bottom in continuity with the top and bottom flanging of the main body portion. The outer corner p'anelii3 is similar in general body formation to the panels 63 and 63 except that its angular extension 63 is turned inwardly or the reverse of the extension $3 of the panel 63% Special retaining brackets are provided for fastening the panels to the wall to whichthe panels are applied. As shown more clearly in Figures 24, 25 and 30, a special upper retaining bracket 13 may be provided for attaching and supporting aoa'i'o'o the upperportions of said panels 63, 63 and 63 at points intermediate their vertical margins, said bracket 13 being formed from a single elongated strip of metal, an intermediate body portion 14 of which is in contact with the inner face of the panel body while'another portion 75 is off-, set away from the panel body. This bracket '33 is rebent rectangularly throughout its length, one end portion it which is offset from the body portion 74 being extended upwardly above the top flange ill of the panel and apertured for the reception of a securing nail or screw and there being a reduced neck portion '5? at the base of said end extension 16 which engages in the notched portion '12 of the downturned flange ll of the panel. The opposite end portion E3 of the bracket is brought inwardly from the offset body portion so as to extend in alinernent with the body portion 14 which is in contact with the innerface of the panel. The end portion iii of the bracket is preferably notched, as at l9, to

i the bracket is embedded in the course of installato which it is applied, the upper end portion 82 of the bracket being apertured for nail or screw reception and offset away from the panel body "and flanged inwardly at its extreme end portion,

as at 83, so as to be brought into edgewise engagement with the panel body, said inturned portion 83 beingpreferably notched, as at 83'. The opposite end portion 84 of the bracket 86 is turned at right angles to the body portion 8! so as to extend under the base flange 6'6 of the panel and being provided with a T-head 85 at its extreme end portion which is turned downwardly to overlap the adjacent outer face portion of the downturned flange 61 of the panel, said T-head being connected to the turned-out portion 84 by a reduced neck portion 86 and being'spaced from saidflange 61 a distance suflicient for the insertion of the flange portion'of a floortile therebetween;

l A further modified bracket 8'! may be provided, as shown in Figures 24, 26, 27 and 28, for. the joint attachment of two adjoining panels, such for example, as the panels 63 and 63 in the illustration in Figures 23 and 24. As shown, this bracket 81 comprises a diagonal main body portion the upper end of which is offset, asat 88, and apertured for the reception of a securing nail or screw by which the bracket is fastened to the wall. The apertured extension 88, is connected to the adjacent right-angular portion 89 of the bracket'by a reduced neck portion 90 for engagement with the notched flange of the panel 63 as in the other forms of brackets hereinbefore described. The diagonal body portion of the bracket 8'! extends from its right-angular upper end portion 89in contact with the inner face of the panel 63 and has its lower end portion turned at a right angle, as at M, in contact with the inner face of the adjacent vertical flange 64 of the panel 63 and thence rebent, as at 92, with a reduced connecting neck portion 93 therebetween,

said portion 92 being spaced from the portion 9| sufficiently to receive therebetween the abutting flanges 64 of the panels 63 and 63 with the neck said, abutting flanges 64. Beyond the rebent portion 92 the adjacent end portion of the bracket 87 is again rebent, as at 94, in contact with the portion 92 and then turned at a right angle, as at 95, in on offset plane parallel with the diagonal body portion of the bracket, said end portion 95 being apertured for the reception of a securing nail or screw. By this particular form of bracket 8'! not only are the two adjoining panels 63 and 63 held endwise together, but the panels are firmly anchored to the adjacent wall portion where they are applied in the assembly,

It is here pointed out that in practice, in accordance with the present invention, the several tiles, panels and stripping elements or units are enameled or otherwise coated in any desirable color or ornamental scheme and that in setting for are first nailed, screwed or otherwise attached to the wall or floor base in proper position to receive the tiles or other elements. In this connection, it is noted 'that any suitable spacing device or gauge may be provided, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings. 4

The particular device illustrated comprises a single elongated flat strip of metal 96 having its opposite end portions turned at right angles, as at 9'6, said end portions being notched, as at 98. This particular tool is made in various lengths according to the dimensions of the different tiles or elements, that is to say, the length of the tool is substantially the same as the width of the particular tile or element to be set in the wall or floor installation so that it may be placed with one notched end portion in engagement with a bracket already located on the wall or floor base in substantially the same relation to the bracket in which the tile or other element is applied thereto in the installation, and then bringing the bracket to be positioned into engagement with the opposite notched end portion of the tool.

However, the spacing tool or gauge per se does not enter into the present invention and, obviously, may be of any desirable character.

After the brackets are positioned and secured in place the adjacent wall or floor surface where the tiles or other elements are to be set is covered with a suitable cementitious material into which the notched marginal portions of the elements are pressed and at the same time being engaged with the brackets as hereinbefore described, the brackets affording a secure anchorage for the tiles or other elements as a reinforcement in addition to the cohesion between the body of cement and the inner face portions and marginal flanges of the elements.

Special floor tiling and fastening means therefor are illustrated in Figures 33 to 39, inclusive. As shown, the respective floor tiles are of general hexagonal form and preferably somewhat elonbody portion 99 of the floor tile may be plain fiat and enameled or otherwise coated on its exposed surface, but in allinstances the tile is provided with downturned marginal flanges I00 at two opposite sides, said flanges being provided with open-ended slots HM at their opposite ends and preferably notched, as at I02, intermediate their ends. This downturned marginal fianging is provided not only for supporting the body of the tile 33 in spaced relation above the floor base trated in Figures 33 to 35, inclusive, the tiles are trated in Figures 33 to 36, inclusive.

provided with a surface covering or padding 33 .of rubber or other suitable characteristic material of substantial thickness and possessing the requisite wearing qualities as well as providing the desired cushioning effect. This covering M3 is shaped to conform to the shape of the tile body 33 on which it is cemented or otherwise fastened, and retaining flanges IiMI are preferably struck up from the convergent end margins of the tile body as shown more clearly in Figure 37.

For finishing the longitudinal side portions of a given area or panel where the floor tiling is installed, longitudinally divided half-tile units are provided, as at I05 in Figure 33, said half-tile units, of course, being provided with a Single downturned flange at its shorter longitudinal margin similar to the flanges I30 provided on the full-size tile illustrated in Figure 3'7. For end finishing the installation, as shown in Figure 33, quarter-size corner units I63 are provided, said units I05 corresponding to one half of a unit I65 divided transversely, For filling in the end portions of the installation between the corner units i855 special half tiles it! are provided in the general shaping shown in the assembly in Figure 33 and in detail in Figures 38 and 39, said units It? being substantially one half of a full size tile divided transversely. It is here further noted that, in addition to providing the respective tiles with plain flat faces, either enameled or similarly coated or with the superposed padding material I03, the tiles may have corrugated surfaces as shown in Figures 38 and 39 or they may be'otherwise contoured. So, too, in addition to "the opposite side fianging Iiiii of the units I35 and Isl similarly to the fianging Hill of the full size tile, these units E96 and I! are also provided with downturned flanges I08 on their convergent edge portions, this particular fianging I08 being for engagement with a special fastener as well .as supportingthe tile in spaced relation to the apex of the tile.

A special fastener for the full size tiles is illus- This fastener, designated generally by the numeral I09, comprises an elongated bridge member, the opposite end portions of which are offset from the body portionfas at III] and III, respectively,

said offset end portions HI] and III, respectively,

being apertured for the reception of securing nails or screws by which the device isfastened to the floor base. The body portion of the device is provided with an elongated longitudinal slotlI I2 of a length somewhat greater than that of the respective flanges III!) of the tiles and of a width to receive therein the abutting flanges I00 of two laterally adjoining tiles in the assembly.

,main body portion and the offset end portion I I I. Theext reme outer end portion of this latch element H3 is offset, as at H5, in the direction of the offset end portion III of the body portion I of the fastener so as to slide in contact with said portion III, said end portion H5 of the latch element being rebent upon itself with looped effect, as at Mt, so as to provide a knob-like protuberance to be grasped by the fingers of the operator in shifting the latch element in locking the tiles to the fastener, as will now be described.

In the installation illustrated in Figure 33, the several fasteners I09 are first located and nailed,

screwed or otherwise secured to the floor base portion of the slot where the latch element I I3 isv mounted, continuing the movement of the two tiles simultaneously until the adjacent registered open-ended slots IBI of the abutting flanges IIIII have engaged the body portion of the fastener in the region of the adjacent end portion of its slot H2. The latch element I I3 is then moved inwardly into engagement with the opposite slotted end portions 50! of the abutting flanges Hit, the actuation of the latch being effected by I93 in-.

the operator grasping the knob portion H6 with 7 his fingers or obviously applying a suitable pushing tool thereagainst. In this connection, it is here noted that the offset end portion H5 of the latch element H3 is apertured for the reception of a securing nail or screw, the aperture being brought into registration with either a separate aperture provided therefor in the end portion I II of the fastener I69 or thesame aperture in said portion I II before the securing nail or screw for the portion II Ihas been applied thereto, it being understood that in such latter instance the fastener IE9 is first secured to the floor base by nailingv or screwing only the opposite offset end portion I I0 thereto and there being ample clearance in the flared space ,between the adjacent tapered end portions of the pair of assembled tiles for the application of the securing nail or screw to the cooperating end portions of the fastener I09 and the latch element. In an installation as illustrated in Figure 3 the several fasteners I09 are obviously placed in staggered relation throughout the tiled area.

The special longitudinally divided half tiles I05 are anchored in, the assembly by the fasteners I 09, that is tosay, said tiles I05 are provided with marginal flanges I00 the same as the tiles 99 except that, of course, the flange is provided only at the side of the tile I95 which abuts the adjoining tile 39. For anchoring the quarter end tiles I96 and special half end tiles IIll, however, a different provision is made. For practical purposes, the fasteners IIBII are preferably provided adjacent their offset end portions III! with opposed diagonal open-ended slots I I1 at-opposite sides of the bridged portion ,of the fastener, in which slots the convergent marginal flanges I08 of the half tiles Iil'I are inserted with interlocking "effect so as to prevent endwise movement of the tiles, it being understood that in ordinary floor installation these end tiles III'I are extended under overhanging wall portions which prevent upward movement of the tiles. Inasmuch asthere are sometimes only two of the quarter tiles I06 and not more than four thereof used in the ordinary floor installation, the cohesion between said tiles and the body of cement in which they are set may be sufficient to hold the tiles in place, but, if desired, a special anchoring fastener may be provided, such fastener being obviously made in the form of the bridged fastener I09 in the immediate region of its offset end H and adjacent body portion having the open-ended. marginal slots iii, said modified anchoring fastener having a supporting effect in addition to the marginal flanging of the tiles I06 as Well as holding the tiles against endwise movement due to the interlocking engagement of the diagonal end flanges of the tiles in the notched portions of the anchoring fastener. This modified anchoring fastener being substantially identical with the end portion of the fastener I09 with therest of the fastener removed, no further detailed illustration thereof is deemed necessary in the drawings.

It is understood that the floor tiling hereinabove described is set in cement the same as are the previously described tiles and elements and that the same character of tiles illustratedin Figures 33 to 39, inclusive, may be applied in a wall assembly as well as in a floor assembly for which they are particularly intended. While in some cases, the respective tiles are placed in close contact with each other in the assembly, it is obvious that the tiles may be spaced a slight distance apart, as indicated at H8 in Figure 33, said spaces being filled with the cementitious material upon which the tiles are set in the assembly or, obviously, a special grout mixture in the same manner in which ordinary earthen or composition tiles are set.

In accordance with the invention as herein disclosed, a system of tiling for wall and floor surfacing is produced wherein the respective tiles and other elements are accurately and symmetrically positioned and securely anchored in place by special fastening means in addition to the body of cement in which the tiles and other elements are set. There is a particular advantage in that the tiles and other elements are made in relatively light weight from metal or other suitable material possessing the requisite tensile strength and rigidity in lieu of the usual earthen and composition tiles which are merely set in the body of cement on the wall or floor surface without any supplemental anchorage of the character of that employed in accordance with the present invention.

While the several forms and arrangements of the tiles and fasteners herein illustrated and described embody practical adaptations of the invention, it is understood that considerable further modification may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific forms and arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. Unitary wall and floor tiling, comprising marginally flanged surfacing elements, the

flanges of which are inturned and provided with flared marginal notches, and elongated anchoring brackets each having provision at an end portion thereof for supporting attachment to a wall or floor base, said brackets also having body portions offset at their attaching end portions away from the wall or floor base in supporting relation to the inner faces of superposed surfacing elements with provision adjacent said attaching end portions for interfitting retentive engagement in the notched flange portions of said surfacing elements.

2. In a wall or floor tiling system, unitary surfacing tiles, correlated base and inner and outer corner units, top molding and intermediate stripvping units, the respective units being provided with notched inturned marginal flanges, and elongated anchoring brackets each supportingly attachable at an end portion thereof to a wall or floor base, said brackets having body portions offset at their attaching end portions away from the wall or floor base in supporting relation to the inner faces of-the respective siu'facing tiles and correlated other units, said offset body portions of the respective brackets having like formations adjacent said attaching end portions for interfitting retentive engagement in the notched flange portions of the respective units.

3. The herein described system of wall and floor tiling comprising surfacing elements each,

having notched inturned marginal flanges, and anchoring brackets comprising elongated metal strips bent angularly to provide body portions for supporting engagement with the inner face of the body portion of a surfacing element and having an offset end. portion for attachment to a wall or floor base and being providedwith a reduced neck portion for interfitting retentive engagement in a notch of the marginal flange of the surfacing element.

4. In a system of tiling including marginally flanged surfacing elements, anchoring brackets, each comprising a strip of metal having provision at one end thereof for supporting attachment to a wall or floor base, said strip being bent to form an elongated body portion offset outwardly throughout its length in parallel relation to said attaching end portion, said elongated body portion being of a length in excess of the overall width of a surfacing element and turned inwardly at itsfree end portion, the body of the bracket being recessed on opposite sides at each end corner thereof to provide a reduced neck portion for interfitting retentive engagement in the notched flange portions of the surfacing elements.

5. An anchoring bracket for tile elements having notched marginally flanged portions, said bracket comprising a metal strip shaped to provide an elongated diagonal body portion to extend in supporting relation to the inner face of a tile element, one end portion of the bracket.

being bent at right angles to the body portion thereof and rebent to provide an offset extension parallel to the body portion with provision for supporting attachment to a wall or floor base, the portion of the bracket between the body portion and said offset end portion being formed to interfit retentively in a notch of one flange of the tile element supported by the body portion of the bracket, the portion of the bracket at the end of the body portion thereof opposite to said offset wall or floor base attaching end portion being bent right-angularly to engage the inner face of the adjacent right marginal flange of said tile element, thence rebent upon itself in spaced relation to said right-angular portion to receive therein the abutting flange of an adjoining tile element, the remainder of the bracket being rebent upon itself and then bent rightangularly to provide an offset end portion in alinement with said first described offset end portion and having provisionfor supporting attachment to the wall or floor base.

6. The bracket structure as set forth in claim 5 and further describing the bracket as having reduced neck portions adjacent its offset wall or floor attaching end portions to interflt with retentive engagement in contiguous notches of the engaged marginal flanges of said tile elements.

7. An anchoring bracket for wall or floor tile units of right-angular cross section and having notched inturned marginal flanges, comprising a metal strip bent to provide a body portion conforming with the cross sectional form of the tile unit and supportingly engageable with the inner face portion of the unit, said bracket having offset end formation for supporting attachment to a wall or floor base, the bracket having reduced neck portions adjacent its ends to interflt retentively in the notched flange portions of the attached tile unit.

8. In a wall surfacing system of the character described, substantially rectangular panel elements having outwardly offset base portions marginally flanged and notched, the top and opposite side marginal portions of the panels being flanged inwardly and the top flange being reflanged downwardly, the side marginal flanges and the reflanged top flange being notched, and anchoring brackets supportingly attachable to the wall and extending beneath the applied panel and having provision for interfltting retentive engagement in the notched flange portions of the panel.

9. In a wall surfacing system of the character described, substantially rectangular panel elements having outwardly offset base portions marginally flanged and notched, the top and opposite side marginal portions of the panels being flanged inwardly and the top flange being reflanged downwardly, the side marginal flanges and the reflanged top flange being notched, and anchoring brackets supportingly attachable to the wall and extending beneath the applied panel and having provision for interfltting retentive engagement in the notched flange portions of the panel, certain of said panels being plain flat and cooperating panels having right-angular corner extensions.

10. A mounting for wall and floor tile elements having notched inturned marginal flanges, said mounting comprising an elongated anchoring bracket having provision at an end portion thereof for supporting attachment to a conventional wall or floor base, said bracket having a body portion offset at its attaching end portion away from the wall or floor base in supporting relation to the inner face of a superposed tile element with provision adjacent said end portion for interfltting retentive engagement in the notched flange portion of said tile element.

HOMER L. SMITH. 

